It looks like PocketBook International is removing their PocketBook ereaders from the US market. Over the past few weeks almost all inventory has been removed from their Amazon store, and that was the one and only official retail option in the US.
They used to have about a dozen new and previous generation models listed, along with covers and cases for them, but now they only have two models listed as of today. One is only available used and the other only has 1 left in stock.
There’s still a third-party seller that’s selling most of the newer PocketBook models and some covers on Amazon, but they are located in Spain and the estimated delivery date is a month or more away. Plus they’re shipped by the seller and not Amazon so it’s more of a hassle if you need to do a return.
PocketBook used to sell their ereaders on Newegg but then they closed that operation down a couple years ago as they moved over to Amazon, and now it looks like they’re winding down their Amazon store as well.
Maybe it’s just a temporary thing, but why would they suddenly remove almost all of their devices from their Amazon store? I could understand a few models being out of stock for a while, but not all of them.
I think the main problem is PocketBook’s ereaders just aren’t very popular in the US. It might not be worth their time and effort to keep sending devices to the US.
They should’ve partnered with an ebook store like Google to get their brand in public view. With zero advertising and zero brand recognition in a niche market it’s not surprising things haven’t worked out well, especially up against the likes of Amazon’s Kindles.
PocketBook makes some nice devices with open software, and they’re the only brand that offers page buttons on every model, but they’ve been making some questionable moves in recent years, like announcing the PocketBook Viva with a color screen before they’d even developed a working prototype, and then it never got released. Then when they jumped on the flush screen bandwagon like everyone else they totally botched the front layer and made the screens look worse.
Then last year they released PocketBook InkPad Color 2 with an outdated screen that was replaced by the InkPad Color 3 a few months later, and then they kept selling the outdated model for full retail, the same price as the newer model. They also released the InkPad X Pro last year with an ancient version of Android that isn’t anywhere close to the level of Onyx’s Android ereaders and eNotes, so it’s really not surprising to see things working out this way.
If you go to Pocketbook’s “Where to buy” page on the official website, you’ll see it’s directing users in Canada & UK to the website run by Good e-Reader. I never used it, though, due to its reputation.
There’s also some European based sellers shipping to US with pretty good prices, but as you said, the return would be a hassle. I bought 2 Pocketbook devices from one of them.
I bought a device from Good e-Reader quite a while ago (it might have been a PocketBook; I used to have an InkPad 3) and it went fine, but I’m a bit wary of doing so again given everything I’ve heard about them over the years since then. I guess if you really want a PocketBook it’s worth the gamble, but I’ve decided I don’t like their design with the buttons along the bottom, and when I tried the Era (obtained from Amazon) the screen was terrible and I sent it back.
I agree that they should have partnered with an e-book store because in the US these readers are only usable for people who always sideload.
In my country they are sold in Standaard Boekhandel bookshops and they are connected to the Standaard Boekhandel’s e-book store. They are also compatible with our public libraries that provide ADRM protected books.
Pocketbooks can borrow public library books protected by DRM in the USA as well.
I could have sworn the article (or a comment) well let’s say “strongly criticised” Pocketbook’s terrible choice of Canadian/UK reseller. Probably just as well it got edited and excised.
There’s definitely some interest in Pocketbook in the UK and US despite Pocketbook trying to ignore those markets. I’m sure there’d be more sales if they actually tried? And selling via Amazon seems like probably the easiest way to do it…
Not to kick a hornets nest but what exactly is horrible about good e reader? Here and on mobile reads they’re like evil incarnate but I’ve never understood why.
They have a long history of shady business practices, to say the least. You can search Google to learn more about them.
The Inkpad Color 3 just came back in stock at Amazon. So maybe temporary supply issues?
Still only 2 readers they have in stock at Amazon right now.